Metal structure for railway cars



Sept. 24, 1929.` A. E. SMALL METAL STRUCTURE FOR RAILWAY CARS Original Filed Oct. 19. 1922 0 o n o 0 u 0 0 o a O o o o o n o 0 a n a D 0 a Patented Sept. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES FAKTEN? FFICE ARTHUR E. SMALL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

ASSIGN'OR TO UNION METAL vPIROITU'CIS METAL STRUCTURE FOR RALLWAY CARS Original application filed October 19, 1922, Serial No. 595,684, Patent No. 1,681,811, dated August 21, 1328. Divided and this application filed February 18, 1928. Serial No. 255,450.

My invention relates to the construction of railway cars, and more particularly to metal end structures or walls for railway cars made ot' one or more metallic plates or panels termed with integral reinforcing, stitening and bracing embossments or corrugations. However, this device may be incorporated in the construction of car side i Yalls, floors, roots or doors used in connection with railway cars ot various types.

It is well known that the end walls ot railway cars are more likely to be broken or otherwise injured than the side walls. This is due to the inertia thrusts and pressures caused by the shitting of the cargoes when the train starts or stops. These thrusts may be local., tending to distort the end in some particular spot, as, for example, when a` piece of piping or lumber shifts lengthwise imparting a blow against the end wall ot the car; or there may be a general tendency to break out the end wall as a whole or tear it away :trom the traming. For the purpose, therefore, ot greater strength and durabilitv, car ends have been constructed ot metal plates corrugated or formed with ribs to impart the desired strength, rigidity and resiliency.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a corrugated or embossed metallic end structure for railway cars in which the corrugations or embossments have a configuration and arrangem nt that impart to the structure a maximum capacity tor resisting cargo thrusts, both local and general, static or quiescent, and with sutcient resiliency to prevent permanent distortion due to the thrusts of the loads, with a minimum weightl of metal. It is important that structures ot this sort should be as light as is possible, consistent with strength and durability, both tor reasons of economy in manutactun ing cost and also to keep the weight ot the car at a minimum.

A further object is to provide a corrugated metallic wall element that is practically possible to manufacture. A further object is to provide a metallic wall element with corrugations or embossments that resist to a greater degree torsional stresses, as well as brace the element, and the car end against diagonal side thrusts or weaving. i

Another object is to 'form a metallic plate with integral corrugations or embossments which impart to it a certain amount of strength and rigidity to resist loads imposed thereon and toy so form the ends or' the corrugations or embossments as to provide a certain amount. oi resiliency to enable the plate to deflect and return to its normal position without appreciable amount of permanent distortion.

1n the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a car equipped with my invention. Y

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fi is a front view ot a corrugated plate.

Fig. l is a top view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a Asection on line 5 5 of Fig.

F 6 is a section on line G-G of Fig.

Fig. 7 is a section on line 7 7 of Fig.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section of a port-ion ot the plate on line 5`5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section of a portion of the plate on line 6-6 o't Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged section of a portion of the plate on line 7-7 of Fig. 3.

Like characters of reference designate like parts.

Referring to F 1 and 2. rlhe corrugated or embossed plates or panels 1, 2 and 3 extend across the car from side to side and are formed with integral lianges 4l along the vertical edges which overlap and are secured to the :trame members oi the side walls i of the car by any suitable means. The top edge of the end wall is secured beneath the fascia boards 7 and the meeting edges of the plate overlap and are secured together by rows of rivets 8 and the lower edge ot the end wall is secured to the end sill 9. Nailing strips 10 are secured to the plates 1, 2 and 3 by bolts and lining 1l is secured to the nailing strips lllhile the corrugations or embossments are shown pressed outwardly from the original plane of the plate and in horizontal arrangement, it is understood that the corrugations or embossments may be pressed inwardly or partially inwardly and partially outwardly from the original plane of the plate, or the corrugations or embossments may be placed in any position; for instance, vertically or horizontally. rlhe plates or panels may be applied to any type of railway car.

iligs. 3 to l() inclusive show the preferred torni wherein the plate is provided with a plurality ot parallel corrugations or einbossment-s, each enibossment preferably comprising a plurality ot relatively shallow sinuous minor corrugations 2O formed therein which are spaced apart distances substantially equal to their respective widths and the part 2l ot the plate between adjacent minor corrugations is also sinuous so that these minor corrugations merge together to 'torni a contiguous sinuous coniigurationtsee llig 7) symmetrical in cross section about a line midway between the outermost portions ot these minor corrugations so that this line is the neutral axis ot the section. Such a section is very resilient and has a spring like action under loac s, and, furthermore, produces a very strong section i'or the amount oi" metal used. These minor corrugations merge into the plane of the plate by means of terminal portions ot any de sired formation. A plurality (two or more) oif such minor corrugations 2O merge together between their opposite ends to tori-n a plurality orp fewer relatively deep major corrugations 23 with arcuate apices which are spaced apart distances substantially equal to their respective widths and the part Lei oit "he plate between these major corrugations is also arcuate, thus forming a configuration (see Fig 5) symmetrical in cross section about a line midway between the outermost portions of these major corrugations so that this line is the neutral axis ot the section. Such a section (see Fig 5) is stronger and relatividy rigid as compared with the section of the sinuous minor corrugations or einbossments (see T) because more metal positioned away Jfrom the neutral axis and the increased depth also increases the strength ot the beam. The arcuate apiccs oit the major corrugatiens f2?) and the arcuate part 2d ot the plate function as arches to transmit any load imposec thereon to the opposite walls QGQ/i of the major corrugations.

By such an arrangement a corrugated metallie plate is provided which is relatively rigid between the opposite ends ot the corrugations or embossments and relatively resilient adjacent the opposite ends of the corrugations or embossments. The secondary oppesitely projectinfy rib 25 'formed by the merging of the two adjacent minor corrugations 20 is equal in width to the adjacent minor corrugations at 28 and decreases in width the minor corrugations 2O merge together to torni the maior corrugations 2 lhese secondary oppositely projecting rib: 25 also preferably decrease in depth that any concentrated stretch ot metal is eliminated where the minor corrugations merge together.

its the enibossmcnt increases in depth toward its middle portion, this secoinlary rib preterably decreases in depth proportionately so that the lengths oit the center lines et the me"al et all cross sections oi the embossiuent are equal to each other.

l have designed my invention tor use in steel plates so that when the section modulus oi my section (normal to the corrugations or embossinents) is multiplied by a constant Vlibre stress the result equals t ie bending moment olf that section tor either a load concentrated at the middle of the beam-corrugations or for a load equally distributed over the beam-corrugations, thus showing that Yi hare not sacrificed any required strength at the ends oi the beams to obtain resiliency; in other words, by my construction l obtain a. very strong beam which is also resilient. l he major corr ugatiens are preferably wider than the minor corrugations.

rlfheeo shallowiu and deeper corrugations or embossments may be positioned and dimcnsioned so that the length of the center line oit the metal oi". a cross section of the shallower corrugations or embossinents (see Fig. i is the same as the length et the center line ot the incl-al oi a cross section et the deeper corrugations or embossments Fig. 5), and, furthermore, the corrugated plate may be so 'formed that the length of the center line oi? the metal oit any cross section (for instance, as per Fie'. G), is equal to the length oli the center line ot the metal ot any other cross sec tion, that is, between the terminal portions. rlhis is a material manutacturing advantage as it more evenly distributes the draw and stretch ot the metal due to pressing the corrugations or einbossments in the plate.

Plates provided with a plurality of conti guous narrow corrugations possess a consi( crable amount ot 'elasticity and when struck a blow deiicct readily and regain their shape wi hout distortion, whereas a plate provided with wide arcuate corrugations, though bet ter able to carry quiescent loads, has not the resiliency of the iiornier and is more readily distorted when struck a blow.

lt is, therefore, desirable to design a plate that possesses great strength to withstand the sudden impact load blow with suilicieut resiliency to resist distortion.

The drawings illustrate the p eterred torni et the invention, though it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact det "s ot construction shown and described, as it is obvious that various moditications thereoil within the scope of' the claims will occur to persons skilled in the art- Thi. isa division et my co-pending application Serial No. 595,534, tiled October 19, 1922; patented August 2i, 1928,ilo. llll.

I claim:

l. A metallic plate formed with a plurality of sinuous embossments merging together between. their' opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer embossments having' arcuate apices.

2. A metallic plate formed with a plurality of sinuous embossments merging together between their opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer wider embossments having arcuate apices.

3. A metallic plate formed with a plurality of sinuous embossments merging together between their opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer wider and deeper embossments haying arcuate apices.

l. A metallic plate formed with a plurality 'of sinuous embossments with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of sinuous configuration, said embossments merging together between their opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer embossments having arcuate apices with the parts of the plate between the embossments. also of arcuate configuration.

5. A metallic plate formed with a plurality of sinuous embossments with the parts of the plate between the. embossments also of sinuous configuration, said embossments merging together between their opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer wider embossments having arcuate apices with the parts of the plate between the embossinents also of arcuate configuration.

6. A metallic plate formed with a plurality of sinuous embossments with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of sinuous configuration, said embossments merging together between their opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer wider and deeper embossments having arcuate apices with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of arcuate configuration.

7. A metallic plate formed with a plurality of sinuous embossments spaced apart adjacent their ends distances substantially equal to their width with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of sinuous configuration, said embossments mergingl together between their opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer embossments spaced apart distances substantially equal to their width having arcuate apices with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of arcuate configuration.

8. A metallic plate formed with a plurality of sinuous embossments spaced apart adjacent their ends distances substantially equal to their width with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of sinuous configuration, said embossments merging together between their opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer wider embossments spaced apart distances substantially equal to their width having arcuate apices with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of arcuate configuration.

9. A metallic plate formed with a plurality of sinuous einbossments spaced apart adjacent their ends distances substantially equal to their width with the parts of the plate between the en'ibossments also of sinuous cenfiguration, said embossments merging together between their opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer wider and deeper embossments spaced apart distances substantially equal. to their width having arcuate apices with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of arcuate configuration.

10. A metallic plate formed with a plurality of sinuous embossments with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of sinuous configuration, said en'ibossments and said parts forming a cross section symmetrical about a line midway between their outermost portions, said embossments merging together between their opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer embossment-s with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of arcuate configuration, said embossments and said parts forming a cross section symmetrical about a' line midway between their outermost portions.

1l. A metallic plate formed with a plurality of sinuous embossments with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of sinuous configuration, said embossments and said parts forming a cross section symmetrical about a line midway between their outermost portions, said embossments merging together between their opposite ends to form a plurality of 'fewer wider embossments with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of arcuate configuration, said em- Ybessments and said parts forming a cross section symmetrical about a line midway between their outermost portions.

12. A metallic plate formed with a plurality of sinuous embossments with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of sinuous configuration, said embossments and said parts forming a cross section symmetrical about a line midway between their .outermost portions, said embossments merging together between their opposite ends to form a plurality of fewer wider and deeper embossments with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of arcuate configuration, said enibossments and said parts forming a cross section symmetrical about a line midway between their outermost portions.

lS. A metallic plate formed with a plurality of sinuous embossments spaced apart adjacent their ends distances substantially equal to their width with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of sinuous config ration, said embossments and said parts forming a cross section symmetrical about a line midway between their outermost portions, said embossments merging together' between their opposite ends to form a plurality oit fewer wider and deeper embossments spaced apart distances substantially equal to their width having arcuate apices with the parts of the plate between the embossments also of arcuate configuration, said embossnients and said parts forming a cross section synnnetrical about a line midway between their outermost portions.

1l. A metallic panel for a railway car structure having` a plurality of reinforcements formed therein with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel, said reinforcements and the part of the panel between them being ot sinuous conliguration and comprising' tension and compression members connected by webs, and reinforcing ribs springing 'from said tension members ad] acent their centers which gradually increase in depth toward the'opposite'ends of the reinforcements.

15. A metallic panel for a railway car struc-ture having a plurality of reinforcements formed therein with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel7 said reinforcements and the part of the panel between them being of sinuous coniguration and comprisingtension and compressionmembers connected by webs, and reinforcing ribs springing` from one of said members adj acent their centers which gradually increase in depth toward the opposite ends of' the reinforcements.

1G, A metallic panel for a railway car structure having a plurality of reinforcements termed therein with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel, said reinforcements and the part of the panel between them being ot sinuous coniguration and comprising tension and compression members connected by webs, and reinforcing ribs springing from one of said members adjacent their centers which gradually increase in depth and in width toward the opposite ends of the reinforcements.

l?. A wall 'for a railway car comprising a metallic plate secured to oppositely disposed 'l'raine members of the car, said plate provided with a plurality of sinuous embossments with the parts of the plate between the embossments also oi" sinuous conliguration, said embossments merging together between their opposite ends to form a plurality o'il :tower major embossments having arcuate apices with the parts oit the plate between the major embossments also oit' arcuate conliguration7 said embossmcnts terminating within the plate adjacent said oppositiely disposed frame members.

18. A metallic structure 'for a railway car comprising a metallic plate secured to opposiely disposed trame members of the structure, said plate provided with a plurality of arcuate corrugations of varying depth with the parts of the plate between said corrugations also oi arcuate conliguration, said corrugations merging together' between their ends to form a plurality ot fewer corrugations having arcuate apices with the parts oli the plate between the last mentioned corrugations also being arcuate, said corrugations terminating into the plate adjacent said oppositely disposed Atrame members.

ARTHUR E. SMALL. 

